Adam Zachs' New Lawyer Wants To See State's Evidence

An attorney for convicted murderer Adam Zachs has filed a motion in Hartford Superior Court requesting that his defense team be allowed to examine items filed as evidence in the 1980s murder trial.

Zachs, who fatally shot Peter Carone in 1987 at the Prospect Café in West Hartford after a disagreement, was convicted of murder in 1988 and was sentenced to 60 years in prison. He was allowed to post bail while he waited for an appeal to be heard and was released from prison when his aunt posted $250,000 bond. He fled to Mexico and dodged authorities for 22 years before being arrested in Leon, Guanajuato, by U.S. and Mexican authorities in February 2011.

Zachs was extradited to the United States in June 2011 and sent to MacDougall-Walker Correctional Facility in Suffield. He was moved to Cheshire Correctional Institution in February.

Aaron Romano, who was not Zachs' attorney during the murder trial, said he has already reviewed court transcripts and other documents pertaining to Zachs and now wants to see evidence, such as photographs of the crime scene, diagrams and the murder weapon.

But to access the evidence, Romano said he needs a court order. With the exception of two guns, the chief state attorney's office is holding the evidence, he said, explaining that it was the state's policy in the 1980s for the court to turn over evidence to the office of the chief state's attorney after a direct appeal.

That rule has since changed.

State's Attorney Gail Hardy could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

West Hartford resident Addie Carone, mother of Peter Carone, said she was shocked to hear that Romano filed the motion.

"Adam fought the justice system when he was out of jail, enjoying life," she said. "And now that he's in jail, it's obvious that he has enough free time to fight the justice system again."

Filing the motion last week is just one step in what is expected to be a lengthy process, Romano said. Zachs, 49, knows it will take a while to methodically and scientifically go through all items and information, he said.

"Court cases are either won or lost before you ever step foot in the courtroom," Romano added.

Romano said the fact that Zachs fled the country after his conviction should not impact a future trial. As Zachs' attorney, Romano said he is focused on whether any mistakes were made during the murder trial. For example, some of the direct evidence wasn't looked at closely at that time, but will be now, he said.

"We are dealing with the trial itself," Romano said. "What happened afterward is of no consequence."

Romano's motion is the latest development in the aftermath of Zachs' 2011 arrest. Following his arrest, Zachs' father, West Hartford resident Frederick Zachs, served six months at Fort Dix Federal Corrections Institution in New Jersey, for helping his son elude the law. He was released in March.

In October 2011, Addie Carone filed a lawsuit against Frederick Zachs. The suit claims that Frederick Zachs' actions caused Addie Carone mental anguish and emotional and psychological distress, for which she's seeking damages.

A second lawsuit was filed in February by Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Co. The company says it shouldn't have to pay for Frederick Zachs' defense against the lawsuit filed by Addie Carone, and it is also asking that it not be required to pay damages in the case.

Frederick Zachs maintains that his homeowners' insurance policy should provide him with liability coverage.